David O. Russell is known for making films like Three Kings, The Fighter, Silver Linings Playbook, and American Hustle. Working with David O. Russell was sure to lead you to industry success and award acclaim.His next film, Amsterdam features a celebrity-studded ensemble that includes Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, John David Washington, Anya Taylor-Joy, Zoe Saldaña, Chris Rock, Rami Malek, Michael Shannon, Mike Myers, Robert De Niro, and Taylor Swift.Russell has been nominated for five Academy Awards, including three nods as Best Director. But, despite his talent, success and acclaim, David O. Russel's career has been followed by worrying allegations about his behavior both on-set and off-set.So why is David O. Russell such a controversial figure in the filmmaking world and what allegations have been made against him?
8 David O. Russell's On-Set Issues With George Clooney During Three Kings
In a 2000 interview with Playboy, George Clooney alleges that Russell yelled and screamed at people “all day, from day one” on the set of Three Kings. Clooney says that shooting the movie was “truly, without exception, the worst experience of my life.”
According to the Oceans Eleven actor, the director publicly embarrassed a camera-car driver and left a script supervisor in tears. Allegedly, Russell also once physically attacked an extra who was supposed to tackle Clooney and felt “a little nervous” about the stunt.
“I was trying to make things work, so I went over and put my arm around him,” Clooney explains. “I said, ‘David, it’s a big day. But you can’t shove, push or humiliate people who aren’t allowed to defend themselves.’” Russell allegedly told Clooney to worry about his own performance, headbutted him, and grabbed his throat.
Russell denies harming the actor. “I never physically attacked him,” he said in 2004. Three Kings producer Charles Roven later spoke to The Hollywood Reporter and explained that Russell was not picking on the AD but simply yelling so he could be heard on set. Roven does admit that Clooney and Russell ended up “tussling” on set.
In 2012, Clooney revealed that he and Russell had run into each other at a party and agreed to finish their feud.
7 David O. Russell Attacked Director Christopher Nolan
It is claimed that David O. Russell attacked Inception and Tenet director Christopher Nolan at a Hollywood party in 2003.
Russell reportedly wanted Jude Law to star in I Heart Huckabees but heard that the actor had decided to star in Nolan’s Memento instead.
The Times reports that, with party guests watching on, Russell put Nolan in a headlock and wrapped his arm around the British director’s neck. He allegedly demanded that Nolan give up on his leading man to show “artistic solidarity.” Law ended up starring in I Heart Huckabees.
6 David O. Russell Had An On-Set Altercation With Lily Tomlin
In an infamous video taken on the I Heart Huckabees set in 2003, legendary actress Lily Tomlin expresses her frustration with a “constant barrage of changes” being asked of her. This recording circulated among talent agencies in the summer of 2003.
“I’m not as brilliant as you. I can’t keep up with you,” she says. David O. Russell is seen sweeping props off a desk, causing a person in the corner to cower as objects go flying. He then goes into an expletive rant, storming off set.
According to the New York Times, Russell locked himself in his office and refused to leave after the outburst. He didn't come back on set until after Tomlin apologized for questioning him on set. “Sure, I wish I hadn’t done that,” Russell reportedly says when asked about the meltdown. “But Lily and I are fine.” Tomlin admits both she and the director lost control on set and that there was a "second fracas" after the video was shot.
Although this is the most famous incident on the set of the film, there was also talk of incident sexual behavior on set. Russell apparently grabbed Mark Wahlberg inappropriately and whispered lewd comments in the ears of actresses.
5 David O. Russell's Niece Files Police Report
David O. Russell's 19-year-old nice Nicole Peloquin filed a police report alleging that Russell sexually assaulted her at a gym in 2011.
According to the report, the then-53-year-old Russell offered to help his niece with abdominal exercises and placed a hand “right above” her genitals. Peloquin, a transgender woman who was on hormone treatment at the time, also alleged that the director then reached under her shirt and felt both of her breasts.
Russell admitted to a responding officer that he touched his niece’s breasts, claiming that he was curious about how the hormones affected them. According to the report, Russell stated that the 19-year-old family member was being “very provocative” and had become “seductive” after transitioning.
The case was closed “because it’s an allegation of simple battery that was not witnessed by law enforcement.” Russell never faced any criminal charges.
4 David O. Russell's Abusive Behavior With Amy Adams When Making American Hustle
In an email which later became public through the infamous Sony hack, journalist Jonathan Alter shared allegations about David O. Russell’s behavior on the set of American Hustle with Sony CEO Michael Lynton.
He alleged that Russell grabbed one person by the collar, repeatedly swore at people in front of others, and “so abused” Amy Adams that co-star Christian Bale told him to “stop acting like an a*****.” Alter claimed Russell treated his crew badly and frequently frightened them. Christian Bale referred to himself as acting as a "mediator" on set.
In a later interview, Amy Adams reveals that the director developed a “wild, crazy way of working” while shooting 2012’s Silver Linings Playbook. She describes the result as “mania,” claiming that the director screamed instructions at actors throughout “every scene.”
.“I was really just devastated on set,” she recalls when making American Hustle. The Oscar-nominated actress admits that not all of her co-stars had the same bad experience, using Jennifer Lawrence as an example. “She’s Teflon. And I am not Teflon,” Adams adds. “But I also don’t like to see other people treated badly, you know what I mean?”
3 David O. Russell's Heated Argument On-Set With Jennifer Lawrence
An eyewitness told TMZ in 2015 that David O. Russell and his frequent leading lady Jennifer Lawrence had gotten into a loud argument on the set of Joy.
Russell allegedly launched into a profanity-filled tirade against the actress. A representative for Fox confirmed to TMZ that the director screamed but claims that he was just preparing Lawrence for her performance.
In a since-deleted Facebook post, Jennifer Lawrence calls the shouting match a “terrible rumor,” adding that she “adores” Russell and considers him one of her closest friends. The eyewitness reveals that they saw the American Hustle actress in tears after she was rebuked for defending a line producer he wanted to fire.
2 David O. Russell's Star-Studded New Film Despite Allegations
The internet was shocked that David O. Russell was still allowed to make films after some many negative reports about his on-set behavior. His latest film, Amsterdam, has drawn a star-studded cast including feminist campaigners like Taylor Swift and Margot Robbie.
“Did the cast not know before they signed on?” one Twitter user wrote. “If you knew, why did you ignore it? What did David O. Russell say or do to deem him worthy of another chance?”
1 David O. Russell Re-Branded As A Great Creative
It looks like David O. Russell's way of acting on set has been rebranded as being an “intentional kind of chaos.”
Margot Robbie has spoken about the actors being surprised on set, “Literally, you don’t know what you’re going to shoot that day, which is terrifying and also exhilarating,” she said on a late-night talk show.
“It’s a very unique experience,” Bale revealed. “David is unlike any other film director, and that’s what you want. That’s the whole point. A director brings a point of view, and a rhythm and everything, and the great ones are always unique. They’re singular. And David is that. Truly one of the greats.”
"When you’re working with people of the crazy creative talent of Amy or of David, there are gonna be upsets,” he told GQ in a recent interview. “But they are f****** phenomenal.”
